Foul-play cry over SSA jobs

OUR CORRESPONDENT

Kokrajhar, Dec. 28: The Udalguri district committee of the All Bodo Students Union (Absu) and Udalguri sub-division committee of All Assam Students Union (AASU) today gheraoed the district mission co-ordinator’s office of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan in the district to protest against anomalies in appointments under the scheme.

Nearly 500 activists gathered around the office and shouted slogans.

A memorandum was later submitted to the mission co-ordinator, demanding the immediate withdrawal of recent appointments, to stop any further appointment and publication of fresh advertisement against the vacant posts under the Udalguri SSA within a week.

The activists said the authorities have illegally filled up vacant posts without going through the required formalities.

They added that three candidates have joined as Udalguri block education extension officer and Khoirabari block education extension officer under the mission, though no interview was held for these posts.

The activists said an advertisement was published on July 12 this year against the post of block accountant for 14 districts and electronic data processor for eight districts and MIS co-ordinator for 10 districts (total 173 posts) in the state excluding Udalguri and Chirang districts.

“The posts have, however, been illegally filled skipping the formal procedure and depriving the unemployed youth of the district,” Absu general secretary, Daobaisa Boro, said.

“Three candidates have already joined. We have urged the mission co-ordinator to not allow the candidates to join but he went ahead and allowed them,” he said.

The unions warned of more agitation if fresh appointments after a fresh advertisement, mentioning the district for the benefit of local youths, are not made. The activists also demanded immediate legal action and requested education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to look into the matter.